Notes: Veleno getting an opportunity this preaseason

DETROIT -- While many people in the Red Wings organization were highly impressed with Joe Veleno during the prospects tournament, coach Jeff Blashill needed a little more convincing.
Veleno, the Wings' first-round pick, 30th overall, in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, was tied for second in scoring in the prospect tournament with seven points.

"I know guys were real high on him," Blashill said after Wednesday's morning skate at Little Caesars Arena. "I was more cautious than other guys in our group, even through game 4. And then I thought as camp went along he got better and better and really started to show me some real things. I always look to see what's an elite skill that a player has that's going to allow that to be transferrable to the NHL and make it elite at that level. For him, I wasn't sure what it was at first. He's definitely a good transporter of the puck from one end to the other.
"But as it went along, his edges are excellent. He can really create space with his edges and then he makes lot of plays in small areas. Those two things can be extraordinarily important in the NHL."
Although he's slated to return to his junior team, the Drummondville Voltigeurs, Veleno will get an opportunity to play in at least a couple of preseason games.
"I think it's huge for any player to see where they stand at the next level, and it's free looks," Blashill said. "Very levels do you get a chance to get free looks, where you come in, you play a little bit and then go back to the level and work on those things you got to work on. Almost no other level can you do that. In other leagues rarely does that happen, so I think it's an excellent opportunity for these guys and it's certainly an excellent opportunity for Joe to say 'How can I be elite and how can I make a huge impact on every game.'"
Veleno will center a line with Michael Rasmussen and Justin Abdelkader against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"For sure it's a big step from juniors," Veleno said. "I'm taking everything in, the experience, and learning a lot of things on the ice, off the ice, talking with players, talking with coaches. I'm just embracing all of it, learning from the experience and I think it's been going great so far. Prospects tournament and coming to main camp, I think it's been pretty big jump."

With no weight of expectations on him, Veleno is free to play his own game.
"I think one of my strengths is just working hard, having the puck on my stick and just making plays," Veleno said. "I'm definitely going to try to do that and use my speed to my advantage and just work hard every shift."
For inspiration, Veleno doesn't have to look far.
Dylan Larkin played one season at Michigan before turning professional and making the Wings as a 19-year-old.
"There's a lot of things to learn about him for sure, he's an unbelievable hockey player," Veleno said. "He's got a lot of speed, good hockey sense. I think the biggest thing is he always wants to get better, always wants to learn. You can see that after, practicing on his own. Practicing his shot, face-offs. There's a lot of things to learn from all these guys but Dylan is a special player obviously for this organization."
Larkin had to learn some things at the NHL level, which resulted in a challenging second season in the league.
But through hard work, Larkin has now established himself with the Wings and at 22, he expects to keep improving.
"I think certainly if I was a young center on this team, I'd be watching Dylan Larkin because he's somebody who's figured out how to be a way more complete player," Blashill said. "I want to keep watching him play so I know exactly what he is as a hockey player. I know that our development guys are very, very active in trying to find comparables throughout the NHL, not just on our hockey team. But if I was around this organization right now as a young center, man, I'd be watching Larks, I'd be watching (Frans) Nielsen. Those are two guys that have been able to produce and be good two-way centers in the league."
Through the prospect tournament and training camp, Veleno said he has already learned that this level of hockey is very different from junior hockey.
"I think you realize you have less time and space on the ice," Veleno said. "Everything is happening at a lot quicker pace and just being more aware. Guys are bigger, stronger, faster, so you got to make quick plays, adjust to their strength and be more aggressive on pucks, be more hungry on pucks. I think that's the biggest jump. All the execution is there, all the passes are on the tape, everyone knows what they're doing out there. Just got to be more aware of what's going on on the ice."
Blashill said he's already seen that Veleno has a skill that will transfer to the NHL when he's finally ready.
"This game is all about space and everybody says speed, it's not necessarily about speed, it's about speed and how do you create space," Blashill said. "His edges and ability to cut tight, stop on a dime, cut in real tight areas, all the ways he can to create space, can he improve his forward speed to create space, can he improve ways to use elusive skating to create space and then within that space, how does he make those plays? Certainly defensive details is something that comes with experience. To be a centerman in the National Hockey League, he's going to have to pay attention to that for sure."
EHN QUIETLY IMPRESSING: People might have forgotten about Christoffer Ehn but he has quietly performed well during the prospect tournament and training camp.
Against the Penguins, Ehn will center Colin Campbell and Jussi Jokinen.
"I've liked Christoffer every time I've seen him play, going back to the summer camps, whatever they call it, conditioning camps," Blashill said. "I've liked him every time I've seen him. I think he skates well, I think he's got a real good brain. He looks like a guy that's going to be a real good defensive player at worst. I think his challenge is to want more offense. I think there's more offense there. I think sometimes you play in pro leagues as a young kid, you're trying to survive and you know the only way to get ice time is to make sure that you're real good from the defensive side of the puck. But I think as he moves through the rest of this preseason and then when he goes down to Grand Rapids, he's got to keep looking for more offense. How can I keep adding more offense?"
Ehn did get a goal in the Red & White Game, collecting a turnover and scoring from the mid-slot for Team Red.
"I'm more of a defensive player," Ehn said. "I try to be responsible on the ice and take away space and time for opponents. That's what I usually do."

Ehn, the Wings' fourth-round pick, 106th overall, in the 2014 draft, has remained in Sweden since being drafted.
The 22-year-old center has played for Frolunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League, for most of the last three seasons.
He came to Grand Rapids at the end of last season but was unable to play due to illness.
"I got mono on the way over so I was out for about six weeks," Ehn said. "It was pretty tough but I had a good summer, a long summer, so I was able to get back to where I want to be. I feel pretty good."
At 6-foot-3, 193 pounds, Ehn has decent size to be able to play against anyone and use his strengths.
"My skating. That's what I got to use," Ehn said. "I try to play a simple game, a lot of skating, a lot of battling, just be hard to play against."
Ehn is now ready to play for the Grand Rapids Griffins this season but is also looking forward to playing for the Wings this preseason.
"It's pretty fun," Ehn said. "It's really exciting to be here and it's going to be a lot of fun to play tonight, I think. This is the first real camp for me so I'm really looking forward to tonight."
INJURY UPDATES: Martin Frk, who left the first practice of training camp with a bit of a back injury, is on the mend.
"I talked to Frk today, he said it feels way better," Blashill said. "I haven't had a conversation with the trainers about what's that mean, what is the approach. I know when he feels better, he's going to want to get in the lineup and I want to get him in the lineup so hopefully soon."
Blashill also said he was optimistic that both Thomas Vanek and Filip Zadina, out for the Pittsburgh game with minor tweaks, will be ready to go Thursday at home against the Chicago Blackhawks.